Self-threading knot-tying device

ABSTRACT

A knot-tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines, the device including two pairs of diagonally opposite resiliently releasable line retaining means for holding crossed segments of the lines, and two further retaining means, each located between adjacent line retaining means of each of the two pairs. Preferably, the adjacent line retaining means of each of the two pairs are confronting coils located at opposite ends of a helical spring and each further retaining means is a pair of confronting coils located intermediate the opposite ends of the same helical spring.

nited States Patent 1 Pagano [54] SELF-THREADING KNOT-TYING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Samuel J. Pagano, 45 Ocho Avenue,

Milltown, NJ. 08850 [22] Filed: Feb. 9, 1971 21 App]. No.: 113,885

[52] US. Cl ..289/l7 [51] Int. Cl. ..D03j 3/00 [58] Field oi Search ..289/l7; 57/107 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,498,920 2/1950 Holland.... ..289/l7 2,502,751 4/1950 Roberts.... .....289/l7 2,706,883 4/1955 Keen ..57/l07 X 2,825,592 3/1958 Semple ..289/l7 May 8,1973

3,169,787 2/l965 Zolezzi ..289/17 Primary ExaminerLouis K. Rimrodt Att0rneyLawrence J. Winter [57] ABSTRACT A knot-tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines, the device including two pairs of diagonally opposite resiliently releasable line retaining means for holding crossed segments of the lines, and two further retaining means, each located between adjacent line retaining means of each of the two pairs. Preferably, the adjacent line retaining means of each of the two pairs are confronting coils located at opposite ends of a helical spring and each further retaining means is a pair of confronting coils located intermediate the opposite ends of thesame helical spring.

15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PMENTEUHAY 8W 3,731,960

SAMUEL. J. PAGANO FITTORNEYS SELF-THREADING KNOT-TYING DEVICE The present invention relates generally to knot-tying devices and pertains, more specifically, to a device for use in tying a true barrel knot, or blood knot, between lines.

The art of angling requires numerous diverse skills and many anglers strive to become proficient in all of the skills required. One such skill is the tying of knots for a variety of purposes. Among those knots found in angling perhaps the most difficult knot to tie is the barrel knot, also known as the blood knotgwhich is usually employed in tying consecutive line segments together. For example, where a tapered leader is constructed of several consecutive line segments, each line segment being a filament of a diameter different from the diameter of the next consecutive line segment, the line segments are usually tied together with barrel knots.

In a barrel knot, the lines which are joined together are each wrapped or coiled around the other over several turns and the knot has the appearance of two confronting helixes with the end portions of the lines locked between the confronting helixes. While it is possible to tie a barrel knot so that the end portions of both lines emerge from between the helixes in the same direction transverse to the lines, in a true barrel knot these end portions are made to emerge in opposite directions. Thus, the tying of a true barrel knot requires skill, dexterity and patience not only in holding and wrapping the lines over one another, but in threading the end portions between the confronting helixes in the proper directions.

The problems presented in tying such a knot are compounded when the knot is tied in the field where the angler is already burdened with his equipment and is often hampered by cold fingers, wet lines and other adverse conditions, all of which have a deleterious effect upon his dexterity and patience.

A variety of knot-tying devices have been made available for assisting the angler in tying barrel knots. Some of these devices are portable enough to be car ried into the field. However, such devices have either been relatively complex in their design and construction, and therefore relatively expensive, or have required relatively elaborate procedures for their use, thus reducing their effectiveness as an aid to the angler in the field. In addition, many of these devices do not aid in the tying of true barrel knots. It-would be advantageous to have available a simple, inexpensive knot-tying device which would enable an angler to tie a true barrel knot with ease and thus encourage him to become proficient in one of the more neglected skills of angling.

It is therefore an important object of the invention to provide a knot-tying device for use in tying true barrel knots between lines and can accommodate a wide variety of line weights.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact, portable knot-tying device which is exceptionally easy to use in the field and which enables the tying of a true barrel knot without elaborate procedures.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a knot-tying device which is rugged and exceptionally simple in construction and therefore economical to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knottying device in which the structure of the device itself indicates the manner in which it is to be used so that elaborate procedures need not be committed to memory and mistakes are avoided.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a knot-tying device which is self-threading in that the device itself ensures that a true barrel knot will be formed without requiring that the operator thread the line end portions in any prescribed direction.

The above objects, as well as still further objects and advantages, are attained by the invention which may be described briefly as a knot-tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines, the knot-tying device comprising a frame, a first helical spring on the frame and having pairs of confronting coils, the confronting coils of each pair being in close enough proximity to one another to enable releasable resilient retention of a line between each pair of confronting coils, and a second helical spring on the frame spaced laterally from the first helical spring, the second helical spring having pairs of confronting coils, the confronting coils of each pair being in close enough proximity to one another to enable releasable resilient retention of a line between each pair of confronting coils.

The invention will be more fully understood while still further objects and advantages will become apparent in the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a typical barrel knot;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a knot-tying device con structed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 with portions cut away to illustrate the construction of the knot-tying device;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the knot-tying device;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the knot-tying device; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged plan views of the knottying device illustrating the tying ofa barrel knot in two stages of the knot tying procedure.

Referring now to the drawing, and especially to FIG. 1 thereof, a typical barrel knot is illustrated at 10. Barrel knot 10 joins together two consecutive lines 12 and 14. Line 12 is coiled around line 14 and makes three turns to establish a first helix 16. Likewise, line M is coiled around line 12 and makes three turns around that line to establish a second helix 18. The end portions 20 and 22 of the lines 12 and 14, respectively, are threaded between the helixes 16 and 18 in opposite transverse directions such that when the knot is drawn tight the end portions 20 and 22 are firmly gripped between the confronting helixes 16 and I8 and emerge from the knot in opposite transverse directions. Thus, barrel knot 10 is a true barrel knot in that the end portions 20 and 22 of the lines 12 and M emerge from the knot in opposite directions. These opposite end portions 20 and 22 may be cut off very close to the helixes 16 and 18 so that the barrel knot 10 presents a relatively smooth contour along the length of the knot. A true barrel knot is preferred since the knot presents a symmetrical configuration which enhances the desired smooth contour.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 5, a knot-tying device constructed in accordance with the invention for use in tying a true barrel knot is shown generally at 30. Knot-tying device 30 has a frame illustrated in the form of a generally rectangular plate 32 having four short arms 34, each arm 34 extending from a corner of the plate 32 and carrying short fingers 36 arranged in opposite left and right pairs. Each pair of fingers 36 carries a helical spring 38 having a plurality of confronting coils 40. Thus, the helical springs 38 are mounted along opposite edges of the rectangular configuration of the plate and extend in parallel directions. Plate 32 is preferably fabricated of a metal, such as aluminuni or stainless steel, which will resist corrosion while helical springs 38 are likewise constructed of a corrosion resistant material, such as stainless steel or an appropriate synthetic resin material. The plate 32 may include a pair of crossed score lines 42 and 43 for purposes which will be described hereinafter.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, knot-tying device 30 is used to tie a barrel knot as follows: The first line 12 is pushed between a pair of confronting coils 44 of the right helical spring 38 and is thus gripped by the confronting coils 44 at a location 45 spaced from the terminal end 46 of the first line 12 by the resilient retaining characteristic of the confronting pair of coils 44 located at a close enough proximity to one another for resilient gripping. Thus, the confronting pair of coils 44 provides a first resiliently releasable line retaining means which will grip the line 12 and hold it in place as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The first line 12 is then led to a diagonally opposite pair of confronting coils 48 in left helical spring 38 where the first line is gripped at a second location 49 so that a segment 50 of the first line follows generally the path indicated by the score line 42, which path can be considered to follow a direction extending between diagonal corners of a polygon of four sides. In a like manner, the second line 14 is pushed between a third pair of confronting coils 52, provided by the left helical spring 38, where the second line 14 is gripped at a location 53 spaced from the terminal end 54 of the second line. The second line 14 is then made to follow a path defined by the score line 43 to a fourth pair of confronting coils 56, provided by the right helical spring 38, where the second line 14 is gripped at a location 57 spaced further from the terminal end 54 than location 53 such that a segment 58 of the second line 14 extends transverse to the corresponding segment 50 of the first line 12, as shown.

Next, the end portion 20 of the first line 12 is wrapped around the parallel portion 60 of the second line 14, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The number ofturns 61 is a matter of choice and, in this instance, three turns 61 are shown. Upon completion of the three turns 61, the terminal end 46 of the first line 12 is led to a fifth pair of confronting coils 62 provided by the right helical spring 38 and the end portion 20 of the first line 12 is placed between the fifth pair of confronting coils 62 to be gripped and held in place as shown in FIG.'7. Likewise, the end portion 22 of the second line 14 is wrapped around the parallel portion 64 of the first line 12, utilizing the same number of turns 65 and the terminal end 54 of the second line 14 is led to a sixth pair of confronting coils 66 provided by the left helical spring 38 and the end portion 22 of second line 14 is placed between the confronting coils 66 of the sixth pair to begripped and held in place as shown in FIG. 7.

Now, the first and second lines 12 and 14 may be pulled in opposite directions, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 7. Such pulling of the lines 12 and 14 will release the first and second lines from the four releasable resilient retaining means provided by the four pairs of confronting coils 44, 48, 52 and 56 and will draw the helixes 16 and 18 established by the turns 61 and 65, respectively, tight. At the same time the terminal ends 46 and 54 of the lines 12 and 14 will automatically be threaded through the loops 70 and 72 established between the two lines and, by virtue of the diagonally crossed paths followed by the line segments 50 and 58, the end portions 20 and 22 will project from the confronting helixes in opposite directions to establish a true barrel knot.

The end portions 20 and 22 may then be released from their respective helical springs 38 and clipped to complete a smooth contoured, symmetrical true barrel knot.

It will be apparent that the knot-tying device 30 is exceptionally simple in construction and is easy to use. The device is rugged and capable of withstanding a great deal of use under varied conditions. The' employment of helical springs 38 enables the releasable resilient retaining means provided by the springs 38 to accommodate a wide variety of line weights, thereby rendering the device universally useful. No elaborate procedures need be committed to memory since the score lines 42 and 43 indicate the manner in which the device 30 is to be used and help to avoid mistakes. However, it is noted that the score lines are present merely as a matter of convenience and are not essential since the overall configuration of the device 30 aids in remembering the manner in which the device is used, even in the absence of score lines 42 and 43.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of an embodiment of the invention is provided by way of example only. Various details of design and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A knot-tying device for use in tying a true barrel know between first and second lines, said knot tying device comprising:

a frame;

first and second resiliently releasable retaining means on said frame and spaced apart along a first direction for gripping said first line at two spaced locations along the line with the first means adjacent the terminal end of the line and the second means spaced further along the line away from the terminal end thereof;

third and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means on said frame and spaced apart along a second direction transverse to said first direction for gripping said second line at two spaced locations along the line with the third means adjacent the terminal end of the second line and the fourth means spaced further along the second line away from the terminal end thereof;

a fifth retaining means on said frame between said first and fourth retaining means for retaining the terminal end of the first line between the first and fourth retaining means; and

a sixth retaining means on said frame between said second and third retaining means for retaining the terminal end of the second line between the second and third retaining means.

2. The knot-tying device of claim ll wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means is releasable in response to pulling of the first and second lines in opposite directions, while the fifth and sixth retaining means retain, respectively, each line adjacent the respective terminal end thereof.

3. The knot-tying device of claim 2 wherein said fifth and sixth retaining means are resiliently releasable.

4. The knot-tying device of claim 3 wherein all of said resiliently releasable retaining means comprise a pair of confronting coils of a helical spring, each said pair of confronting coils being in close enough proximity to one another to resiliently retain a line between said coils.

5. The knot-tying device of claim 2 wherein at least one of said resiliently releasable retaining means comprises a helical spring having confronting coils in close enough proximity to one another to resiliently retain one of said lines between said coils.

6. The knot-tying device of claim 5 wherein at least said first, second, third and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of a helical spring, each said pair of confronting coils being in close enough proximity to one another to resiliently retain a line between said coils.

7. The knot-tying device of claim 6 wherein said first and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of the same helical spring.

8. The knot-tying device of claim 6 wherein said first and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of the same helical spring and said fifth retaining means comprises a pair of confronting coils of that helical spring and located between the pairs of coils of the first and second resiliently releasable retaining means.

9. The knot-tying device of claim 6 wherein said first and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of a first helical spring and said second and third resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of a second helical spring spaced laterally from said first helical spring.

10. The knot-tying device of claim 9 wherein said fifth retaining means comprises a pair of confronting coils of said first helical spring located between the pairs of confronting coils of the first and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means and said sixth retaining means comprises a pair of confronting coils of the second helical spring located between the pairs of confronting coils of the second and third resiliently releasable retaining means.

11. A knot tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines, said knot tying device comprising:

a flat frame;

a first pair of resiliently releasable retaining means located on the frame at one set of diagonal corners of a polygon;

a third pair of retaining means located on the frame;

each one of said third pair being located between adjacent retaining means of each of said first and second pairs of retaining means; and

each of said first, second and third pairs of retaining means comprising confronting coils formed from two parallel spaced elongated helical springs disposed on opposite sides of said flat frame.

12. A knot tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines comprising a substantially flat plate with slot means on opposite sides thereof, a pair of elongated flexible helical spring means, one of said spring means disposed in each slot means to provide means to releasably retain a threaded member disposed between two adjacent confronting coils of each spring means, and retainer means to secure each spring means in their slot means.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said retainer means are flat fingers disposed in the corners of said rectangular member extending in a direction parallel to said spring means.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said retainer means are flat fingers disposed in the corners of said member extending in a direction parallel to said spring means.

15. A knot tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines, said knot tying device comprising:

a flat frame;

a first pair of resiliently releasable retaining means located on the frame at one set of diagonal corners of a polygon of at least four sides;

a second pair of resiliently releasable retaining means located on the frame at another set of diagonal corners of said polygon; and

a third pair of retaining means located on the frame:

each one of said third pair being located between adjacent retaining means of each of said first and second pairs of retaining means;

each of said first, second and third pairs of retaining means comprising confronting coils formed from two parallel spaced elongated helical springs disposed on opposite sides of said flat frame. 

1. A knot-tying device for use in tying a true barrel know between first and second lines, said knot tying device comprising: a frame; first and second resiliently releasable retaining means on said frame and spaced apart along a first direction for gripping said first line at two spaced locations along the line with the first means adjacent the terminal end of the line and the second means spaced further along the line away from the terminal end thereof; third and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means on said frame and spaced apart along a second direction transverse to said first direction for gripping said second line at two spaced locations along the line with the third means adjacent the terminal end of the second line and the fourth means spaced further along the second line away from the terminal end thereof; a fifth retaining means on said frame between said first and fourth retaining means for retaining the terminal end of the first line between the first and fourth retaining means; and a sixth retaining means on said frame between said second and third retaining means for retaining the terminal end of the second line between the second and third retaining means.
 2. The knot-tying device of claim 1 wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means is releasable in response to pulling of the first and second lines in opposite directions, while the fifth and sixth retaining means retain, respectively, each line adjacent the respective terminal end thereof.
 3. The knot-tying device of claim 2 wherein said fifth and sixth retaining means are resiliently releasable.
 4. The knot-tying device of claim 3 wherein all of said resiliently releasable retaining means comprise a pair of confronting coils of a helical spring, each said pair of confronting coils being in close enough proximity to one another to resiliently retain a line between said coils.
 5. The knot-tying device of claim 2 wherein at least one of said resiliently releasable retaining means comprises a helical spring having confronting coils in close enough proximity to one another to resiliently retain one of said lines between said coils.
 6. The knot-tying device of claim 5 wherein at least said first, second, third and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of a helical spring, each said pair of confronting coils being in close enough proximity to one another to resiliently retain a line between said coils.
 7. The knot-tying device of claim 6 wherein said first and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of the same helical spring.
 8. The knot-tying device of claim 6 wherein said first and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of the same helical spring and said fifth retaining means comprises a pair of confronting coils of that helical spring and located between the pairs of coils of the first and second resiliently releasable retaining means.
 9. The knot-tying device of claim 6 wherein said first and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of a first helical spring and said second and third resiliently releasable retaining means each comprise a pair of confronting coils of a second helical spring spaced laterally from said first helical spring.
 10. The knot-tying device of claim 9 wherein said fifth retaining means comprises a pair of confronting coils of said first helical spring located between the pairs of confronting coils of the first and fourth resiliently releasable retaining means and said sixth retaining means comprises a pair of confronting coils of the second helical spring located between the pairs of confronting coils of the second and third resiliently releasable retaining means.
 11. A knot tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines, said knot tying device comprising: a flat frame; a first pair of resiliently releasable retaining means located on the frame at one set of diagonal corners of a polygon; a third pair of retaining means located on the frame; each one of said third pair being located between adjacent retaining means of each of said first and second pairs of retaining means; and each of said first, second and third pairs of retaining means comprising confronting coils formed from two parallel spaced elongated helical springs disposed on opposite sides of said flat frame.
 12. A knot tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines comprising a substantially flat plate with slot means on opposite sides thereof, a pair of elongated flexible helical spring means, one of said spring means disposed in each slot means to provide means to releasably retain a threaded member disposed between two adjacent confronting coils of each spring means, and retainer means to secure each spring means in their slot means.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said retainer means are flat fingers disposed in the corners of said rectangular member extending in a direction parallel to said spring means.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein said retainer means are flat fingers disposed in the corners of said member extending in a direction parallel to said spring means.
 15. A knot tying device for use in tying a true barrel knot between first and second lines, said knot tying device comprising: a flat frame; a first pair of resiliently releasable retaining means located on the frame at one set of diagonal corners of a polygon of at least four sides; a second pair of resiliently releasable retaining means located on the frame at another set of diagonal corners of said polygon; and a third pair of retaining means located on the frame: each one of said third pair being located between adjacent retaining means of each of said first and second pairs of retaining means; each of said first, second and third pairs of retaining means comprising confronting coils formed from two parallel spaced elongated helical springs disposed on opposite sides of said flat frame. 